Japan's JERA to develop ammonia-related tech with green fund backing

FILE PHOTO: The logo of JERA Co., Inc., the world's biggest LNG buyer, is displayed at the company office in Tokyo, Japan July 14, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's biggest power generator JERA said it would spend 69.2 billion yen ($597 million) on the development of ammonia-related technology, with nearly 70% covered by the government's green innovation fund.

Ammonia is used as a fertiliser and in industrial materials, but is also seen as a future energy source, along with hydrogen. It does not emit carbon dioxide when burned although its production produces emissions if it is made with fossil fuel.